OpenClaw: Workspace dotenv could override runtime-control environment variables

Exploitation

No confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next marks exploitation only from CISA KEV.

CVSS 4.0

8.5 · CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N · score source

EPSS

• CVE-2026-44114: 0.13% estimated exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 2.56 (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-03). This is a model estimate, not proof of exploitation or customer exposure.

As published by the source; long descriptions are shortened.

Affected Packages / Versions - Package: openclaw (npm) - Affected versions: < 2026.4.20 - Patched version: 2026.4.20 Impact Workspace .env loading did not reserve the OPENCLAW runtime-control namespace broadly enough. A malicious workspace could set variables such as OPENCLAWGITDIR before source-update or installer flows, potentially steering trusted OpenClaw runtime behavior. This requires running OpenClaw from an attacker-controlled workspace. Severity is medium. Fix OpenClaw now reserves the workspace OPENCLAW environment namespace and rejects workspace dotenv entries for OpenClaw runtime-control variables. Fix commit: - 018494fa3ebb9145112e68b56fe1cb2e9f9a9ed6 Release Fixed in OpenClaw 2026.4.20.

Published by the source

25 Apr 2026, 23:47 UTC

Last modified by the source

12 May 2026, 17:26 UTC

Source last checked

26 Oct 2026, 12:51 UTC

1. Revision 3 · amended · 26 Oct 2026

   Amended from ghsa record GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3

2. Revision 2 · amended · 24 Oct 2026

   Reviewed OSV alias/range/CVSS4 correction; package source scopes and original publication preserved. No customer finding resolved.

3. Revision 1 · created · 24 Oct 2026

   Published from osv record GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3

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# Patch Next advisory brief: CVE-2026-44114

Advisory: OpenClaw: Workspace dotenv could override runtime-control environment variables
IDs: CVE-2026-44114, GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3
Record: https://patchnext.com/advisories/cve-2026-44114 (revision 3, source checked 26 Oct 2026, 12:51 UTC)
Inventory: none attached. This brief comes from a public page and does not say whether any deployment is affected.
Severity: High (CVSS 8.5)
Exploitation: no confirmed exploitation recorded. Patch Next confirms exploitation only from CISA KEV.
Vendor response: Vendor fix available; fixed versions by package: openclaw 2026.4.20. A vendor fix does not mean a deployment is fixed.

## Affected components
- npm openclaw: affected < 2026.4.20; fixed in 2026.4.20

## Suggested inspection (read-only)
- `npm ls openclaw --all`: lists every installed copy and version, including transitive ones. Run in the project root after `npm ci`.

## Supported action
Upgrade each affected component to a fixed version on its release line. For a transitive dependency, upgrade the parent package or add an override or constraint, then regenerate the lockfile. Redeploy every environment that ran an affected version.

## Required regression checks
- Run the test suite and a production build.
- Exercise the features that depend on openclaw.
- Repeat the inspection and confirm that only fixed versions remain installed.

## Rollback considerations
- Keep the previous lockfile and deployment artifact. Rolling back reinstates the vulnerable version, so apply any documented mitigation while you fix forward.

## Unresolved questions
- Which deployments run an affected version?
- Exploitation status can change. Check again before lowering the priority.
- Mark the work resolved only after the fixed version is verified in production.

## Sources
- Verified: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3 (OSV record GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3 lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <2026.4.20 (fixed))
- Verified: https://github.com/advisories/GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3 (GitHub-reviewed advisory GHSA-hxvm-xjvf-93f3 lists affected ranges: npm openclaw >=0 <2026.4.20)

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